David De Gea highlights the best trait shown by Manchester United’s youngsters

Due to a host of injuries and suspensions, the Red Devils have had to resort to utilising their academy at a remarkably high frequency this season.

Mostly in the defensive positions - but also James Wilson up front - Louis van Gaal has brought through the likes of Tyler Blackett, Patrick McNair and Tom Thorpe, and many have impressed in their outings this season. Although still coming to terms with the Premier League due to their inexperience and young age - Thorpe is the oldest at 21 - the majority of their performances have shone highly on the Red Devils academy, and their names are welcome sights when seen in the starting XI.

Regardless of their impressive performances, United have been incredibly reliant on the goalkeeping of David De Gea to keep the club inside the top three of the Premier League, but the 24-year-old Spaniard has himself praised the young defenders who line up in front of him on a week-by-week basis.

Speaking to MUTV, the ‘keeper was quoted by The People’s Person as saying: “The defenders that have come in have done well.”

Having been thrown in at the deep end this season, and recovering from a poor start to the campaign - topped by the 4-0 League Cup defeat to MK Dons - De Gea has singled out the youngsters as being incredibly fearless when taking to the field - an incredibly important trait.

De Gea continued to address the rumours circulating concerning his future, with a touted move to Real Madrid likely to happen whilst the former Atletico man continues to delay signing a contract extension at Old Trafford. However, he appears to still be happy with turning out for the Red Devils, admitting that he is still delighted to be a Manchester United player.

“I enjoy my time here currently as much as I did on day one,” said the three-capped international.

Billy Hawkins

Billy is a freelance writer who contributes to various sites concerning football. Known to possess an obsession with statistics, Eastern European club sides, and Victorian football, he focuses upon the untapped potential of the Football League in the belief it is more enjoyable than the Premier League.